All About Gourds
From the Garden to the Gallery
An Exploration of the Functional and Artistic Possibilities of the Humble Gourd
September 8 - October 8, 2010
ICE HOUSE
GALLERY
120 North 8th Street
Mayfield, Kentucky 42066
Phone 270-247-6971
icehousearts@att.net
Web page: Icehousearts.org
A certified non-profit 501(c) (3)
corporation founded in 1990 as
the Mayfield/Graves County Art
Guild, a member-supported
organization located in Mayfield’s
downtown historical icehouse.
The guild supports and promotes
the arts through educational
programs, events and art
exhibitions.
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday-Friday
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission is free.
The Kentucky Arts Council, a
state agency in the Commerce
Cabinet, provides operational
support funding for Mayfield /
Graves County Art Guild with
state tax dollars and federal
funding from the National
Endowment for the Arts, which
believes that a great nation
deserves great art.
The Ice House is accessible to
individuals with disabilities. All
programs, activities, and services are
provided without regard to race,
color, religion, national origin, age,
sex, or disability.
AWARDS
Best of Show
Award
$300.00
will be given for the work
judged outstanding among
all entries.
Best Overall
Design and
Execution
Award
$100.00
1st Place Award
$100.00
will be given in each of the
following categories:
For the Birds. Any object
made of gourds designed
to accommodate birds and
bird life, such as houses or
feeders.
Wonders of the West.
A gourd object using
western subjects or Native
American motifs in its
design and construction.
Real and Imaginary. A
realistic or fantasy figure
constructed or sculpted
from gourds and gourd
pieces.
Visionary Vessels. A
vessel or container,
including dippers, bowls,
and vases created from
gourds.
Masquerade. A mask
devised from a gourd.
Additional awards may be
given at the discretion of the
jurors.
RULES
All work must be
original and
completed by the
artist, and not
previously shown in
the All About
Gourds exhibit.
All entries will be
gourds that have
been crafted using
any media
(including but not
limited to painting,
drawing, carving,
wood-burning,
weaving and mixed
media). Entries may
be whole gourds,
open gourds, or
three-dimensional
sculpture using
gourds as the major
medium.
Awards will be
made by the jurors
based on
craftsmanship,
originality, use of
medium, and
technique.
Entry Deadline
Entries will be accepted
beginning August 10 through
August 28. Deadline for
entry is Saturday, August
28, 2010.
Entry Fee
A non-refundable entry fee of $20.00 for 1,
2, or 3 entries is due when artwork is
delivered. Each artist may submit up to five
pieces; an additional $10 fee is due for each
entry over three. Payment may be made by
cash, check, or money order payable to
Mayfield/Graves County Art Guild. An
entry tag must be properly filled out and
attached with each entry. The artist must
indicate the category in which each work is
to compete. The completed Entry Form and
entry fee must be submitted when the work
is delivered or shipped to the Art Guild.
Sales and Handling
Sales will be encouraged. The
Mayfield/Graves County Art Guild will
retain a commission of 30% on all sales.
Please include the Art Guild’s
commission in your sale price on the
Entry Form.
Hand-delivered Entries
Entries will be accepted by hand
delivery at the
Ice House Gallery
120 North 8th Street
Mayfield, Kentucky 42066
Regular gallery hours are Tuesday
through Friday 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM,
and Saturday 10:00 AM to
1:00 PM. Entries may be picked up
October 9 through October 16, 2010.
Shipped Entries
Shipped items will be returned via the same
carrier as they were sent, using the original
packaging whenever possible.
A self-addressed pre-paid shipping label OR
a check or money order payable to
Mayfield/Graves County Art Guild to cover
the cost of postage and insurance (if
requested) must be included with the Entry
Form. Return shipping will begin October
13, 2010.
Agreement
Only entries accepted by the jurors will be
shown in the exhibition. All awards will be
given at the jurors’ discretion. The Art Guild
reserves the right to reject any work that is
considered objectionable, offensive, or
obscene. All entries must be 80% gourd and
gourd material. All artwork must remain on
display until the close of the exhibition. We
assume the right to photograph accepted
work and to use these images for publicity or
educational purposes. Submission of an
entry constitutes an agreement to all
conditions set forth in the prospectus.
The Art Guild will exercise care in
handling of all works, but cannot
insure them or assume any financial
liability. Artists may consider
obtaining their own insurance
coverage.
Jurors
Susan French worked for a large corporation as an illustrator and publication designer before
retiring and moving to Paducah, KY. As an owner of a local shop specializing in regional arts and
crafts, she developed a keen appreciation for the art of the gourd—both traditional and
contemporary. Her own artwork, including oil painting and pastels, has been exhibited in a
number of local and regional shows.
Lois Platt was the 2009 Best of Show winner of the Ice House Gallery's gourd competition.
Ms. Platt has a long history of involvement in the visual arts, from participation in and as
President of the Owensboro Kentucky Art Guild, a fine arts teacher in Hendersonville, NC, to
having several solo shows and her paintings in a number of private collections. It wasn't until she
retired and moved to Taylorsville, Kentucky that she discovered the art of the gourd. She
currently holds the position of Vice President of the Kentucky Gourd Society and is an American
Gourd Society certified judge.
In order to lend credibility to gourd competitions, the American Gourd Society has established
standards for judging gourd competitions and holds classes nationwide for those interested in
becoming certified. Many gourd societies have adopted AGS judging standards.
Bryan Warner is a working artist whose primary medium is wood. He resides in Murray, KY
where he makes lathe-turned objects and sculpture. Mr. Warner participates in the Kentucky Arts
Council's roster artist program and is also a juried member of the Kentucky Craft Marketing
Program. He participates in exhibits and competitions statewide and nationally, as well as
accepting commissions for design services and one of a kind art pieces.